First day of the Fast – first step on a journey

O my God and my Master! Thou seest me among Thy creatures who have rebelled and transgressed against Thee. Every time I invite them unto the ocean of Thy knowledge, their repudiation of Thy Cause increaseth and their rejection of the Dawning-Place of Thy Will waxeth greater. I beg of Thee, O my God, by those who have fasted for love of Thee and have quaffed the living waters of submission from the hands of Thy bounty, to ordain for Thy loved ones, who under the blaze of the orb of Thy trials have clung to the cord of patience, all the good Thou hast reckoned in Thy Books and Thy Tablets. Write down, then, for such as have been afflicted with adversities for Thy sake, the reward of those who have suffered martyrdom in the path of Thy good-pleasure. Send down, moreover, upon them, O Lord, that which will rejoice their hearts, solace their eyes, and exhilarate their souls. Thou art, verily, the Most Powerful, the Most Exalted, the Help in Peril, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
– Baha’u’llah

Today was the first day of the Baha’i Fast. It was a very difficult transition into a state of calm determination to accomplish a contentment with less. No food and no drink from sunrise and sunset is the outward emanation of what should be a 19-day period of spiritual cleansing, refinement, nurturing, awakening.

I take today to be a step forward on my ongoing spiritual journey but it also provided a step towards a highly anticipated physical journey. I got my ticket to Bulgaria! I will visit my homeland and my beloved parents, brother and his family, relatives, friends, memories.

So these 19 days will be a time of going back to the spiritual roots just as my trip to Bulgaria will be a time of going back to the physical roots.

I am so grateful for today. For having had a productive day at work, for having spent a piano practice with my beautiful daughters, for having a delightful dinner with my wonderful roommate, for having the knowledge that I am a step further on the right path!